Read the Press Release at CLMP.ORG
We are overjoyed to announce that Host Publications has been awarded The Constellation Award! This prize recognizes an independent literary press for their excellence in publishing and work that champions the writing of people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and Asian American & Pacific Islander individuals. With this honor, we are in lineage and siblinghood with other presses we admire, such as last year's winner Kaya Press and this year's finalist CavanKerry Press.
If you have followed our journey since the passing of our beloved mentor Joe W. Bratcher, you know it's been a challenging one. Especially as we continue our devotion to publishing historically marginalized writers in an increasingly hostile world. If you have learned anything about Host Publications, however, is that we are resilient, we are fierce, unwavering and unapologetic. We stand by our authors, our mission, and the literature we want to see more of in the world! With that being said, in a moment when we are actively being oppressed or discouraged to do the work we do, we are surprised, overwhelmed, and completely honored to be celebrated in this way.
Poet and CLMP Board Member Deborah Paredez says it brilliantly: “During this time of increased violence against the most vulnerable members of our communities and against those who insist on bearing witness, the role of independent publishers that champion the voices of people of color is vital. Their lively functioning—imperiled by the dismantling of federal funding and institutional attacks on diversity—is crucial to the maintenance of our vibrant literary landscape and our democratic chorus. This year’s award winner, Host Publications, has demonstrated an abiding support of queer and BIPOC writers for decades and offers inspiring and concrete visions for how to meet our current moment.”
This award generously arrives with the prize of $10,000, which we will use to continue our mission in publishing literature by historically marginalized writers and provide free, fun, and lively literary programming to our Central Texas community! Wanting to share this with our community, we'd love to inspire you to donate to our Battle of the Constellations fundraiser (teams are zodiac signs!). Our pals at Alienated Majesty will be throwing us a fête on May 15th, 2026, where we will crown the best constellation!
We are excited to celebrate this prize, dream up a better world together, and to be in community with you.
In solidarity,
Annar & Claire